Unlocking the Swing Secret in Jazz

Okay, so now we're going to unlock that secret that we all have as jazz players regarding what swing is and how we play it, how we sound like that. We know how to swing, and this all comes down to the quavers we play.

Understanding Quavers

Quavers, which you are probably used to playing, even as in classical music, sound quite different when played with a swing feel.

Demonstration: Classical vs. Swing

Let me give you a demonstration. I will play the last phrase in the piece as though it's a classical piece of music with even quavers.

As you can hear, it sounds completely different than the performance I gave earlier.

Making Quavers Swing

So, how do we make our quavers swing?

We think along a triplet feel.

What is a Triplet?

Now, you may not know what a triplet is, so let me demonstrate:

• I will clap a triplet rhythm and count as well.
• Here's how to count a triplet:

1. "1 under, 2 under, 3 under, 4 under"
2. "1 under, 2 under, 3 under, 4 under."

In this way, the four beats in the bar are divided into three notes. Each beat is divided into three notes.

Swinging Quavers

Now, the jazz quavers pick up on that triplet rhythm.

• We go: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1-2-3.
• Listen: Dee Dee Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee.

That is how we make it swing.

Listening to the Drummer

To get the sound of the swing quavers, one of the things I do when I'm playing is listen to the drummer. Pay attention to the way they're playing the triplet feel with the swing quavers.

In the backing track to the recording you heard earlier, the drummer is playing the swing quavers, the triplet feel on the cymbal.

Practice Together

If you found that hard to hear, let's try a little practice. How about I play a phrase, and you repeat after me?